James Tanner: Should the Capitals Trade Ovechkin? Duh

No.

What would OV net in return for the Caps? Methinks they wouldn't reap the appropriate return for his services.

Having said that, his level of play offensively has certainly diminished. He also needs to dial back the hitting (or should I say "charging") and learn how to play proper 2-way hockey. He may score less goals but his commitment at both ends of the ice while wearing the "C" would benefit the team in so many ways.

Ovi to the Preds for a 3rd rounder.

Yes to the Yotes, Leafs, Oilers, or Vegas....or whatever other team you blog for now.

Tannerbuzz is taking over

No.

What would OV net in return for the Caps? Methinks they wouldn't reap the appropriate return for his services.

Having said that, his level of play offensively has certainly diminished. He also needs to dial back the hitting (or should I say "charging") and learn how to play proper 2-way hockey. He may score less goals but his commitment at both ends of the ice while wearing the "C" would benefit the team in so many ways.
- mjones242

If you read the blog, you'll see that his play hasn't actually diminished at all. Also, Ovechkin is a winger and doesn't need to play better defense he's a +50% CF player.

Washington would never come close to getting what they want or deserve for him on the open market so....nothing to see here, move along

The return would probably be better on Backstrom than Ovechkin. If they want to get younger and reap a bunch of assets while keeping the face of your franchise, that's how you do it. I don't think they will though

The return would probably be better on Backstrom than Ovechkin. If they want to get younger and reap a bunch of assets while keeping the face of your franchise, that's how you do it. I don't think they will though
- jcragcrumple

Not a terrible idea, but why break up the dynamic duel.

Not a terrible idea, but why break up the dynamic duel.
- james_tanner1

If you think the core has hit a wall, the dynamic is stale, they're going to lose players to FA this year. It would let you retool for one last OV run in 2-3 years after restocking with youth.

Backstrom is still relatively young though, so idk, there's probably not a great reason to do it

Trumpbuzz

Trade him to Nashville for Forsberg

I would've wrote the article with just two letters followed by a period...

No.

Look, aside from his shooting % being lower than normal, and the very real usage and puck touches issues presented, he's not the issue.

But further than that, the return wouldn't be anywhere near the value they get for keeping him.

Example for me is the Kessel trade (Not too many high scoring wingers get traded, but this is as good of an example as I can find for a player with as much time left on his contract)

Penguins Acquire:
Kessel
Tyler Biggs
Tim Erixon
2016 2nd round pick

Leafs acquire:
Nick Spaling
Scott Harrington
Kasperi Kapanen
2016 1st round pick
2016 3rd round pick

The leafs moved Spaling for a pick (IIRC), and Harrington for Kerby Rychel. The first round pick was traded in the deal to land Freddie Andersen. The Leafs also retained 1.2 Million of the Kessel contract.

There-in lies the rub; Any team that would want to acquire Ovechkin (As long as they're not one of the 10 he lists on his modified NTC according to Cap Friendly), would have to be able to take on his salary. The Caps would likely have to retain salary on the deal.

And even still; what is the most they can hope for in return? You're not exactly selling high at the moment. He's had a sub-par season, followed by a decent, but unspectacular playoffs. Why would a team acquiring him be willing to take him at full price and give up prime assets?

The Caps wouldn't be dealing from a position of power (similar to the Leafs wanting to move Kessel), and while the Caps will have more suitors than the Leafs did for Kessel (who was only ever really connected to the Pens), their return probably wouldn't justify the cost of moving him.

Naw. I agree with the OP on this one. Dance with the one who brought ya. Keep the core in tact and hope for better luck next season. Trading Ovechkin from a position of weakness will haunt the franchise for years.

I'll shut down your naive blog with one sentence...

IF #99 CAN GET TRADED, ANYONE CAN.

more Trump nonsense from james. luv it.

I'll shut down your naive blog with one sentence...

IF #99 CAN GET TRADED, ANYONE CAN.
- Leniwm1

Different era ....there's this thing called a salary cap ...not saying ovie is not tradable but you can't use the Gretzky example anymore

I'll shut down your naive blog with one sentence...

IF #99 CAN GET TRADED, ANYONE CAN.
- Leniwm1

Well I didn't say he couldn't get traded, I just said they shouldn't do it.

Different era ....there's this thing called a salary cap ...not saying ovie is not tradable but you can't use the Gretzky example anymore
- Redmile247

I think the Nash trade would be more of a reasonable comparison to the Capitals trading Ovi. Nash was 28 at the time so age would play a factor in return for AO.

If Washington could get 3 players that fit into their Top 9 F/Top 4 D and 1-2 picks would it be enough to deal Ovechkin?

Now would be the perfect time. The expansion draft is going to force some teams into a spot where they need to deal players.

No. Ovi should retire from the NHL this off season and go play in the KHL so he can try to win gold for mother Russia at the Olympics. Then un-retire next season.

Is Ovi the Caps best player? I think that would be Backstrom.

Do you accept that some people have better shooting percentages because they take better shots?

Ovi loves to blast bad angle shots with no traffic.

Is Ovi the Caps best player? I think that would be Backstrom.
- Thorny87

Not sure if I would say he's better, they are kind of hard to compare. I would take Backstrom at 6.7M over Ovi at 9.5M though.

Do you accept that some people have better shooting percentages because they take better shots?

Ovi loves to blast bad angle shots with no traffic.
- Blue Clam

Some guys close their eyes and hope for the best.

"trade him for a bag of chips and yesterdays gitch, guy sucks feet"
-Slava Malamud

Do you accept that some people have better shooting percentages because they take better shots?

Ovi loves to blast bad angle shots with no traffic.
- Blue Clam

If you are a high volume shooter, you'll always have a lower % than most people, however, Ovechkin's 5v5 career shooting percetage is 10% he was 2 percentage points (or 20% ) lower this year.

Volume shooters are the most important players on hockey teams. Nothing a player can do can make up for ten shot attempts or more per game. year after year he destroys the competition in shot totals - which is he real skill. Whether or not he scores is beyond his control - no one in the NHL, other than Austom Matthews, is better at getting himself open for a shot.

I do not think Ovechkin has had his last 50 goal season. Let's not forget that had his shot not hit the shaft of the goalie stick, Ovechkin comes up huge in game seven and is likely still playing. Thus turning the entire course of the idea that he's somehow finished.